Page 177 of Masters of Control

Her understanding was that she wasn’t supposed to take attention from the bride. Again, she didn’t really understand what that meant, but it seemed to mean muted colors that weren’t white and not dressing too sexy. This particular dress wasn’t sexy, but it was very bright.

“It’s perfect. Casual but classy, it’s a total brunch dress,” Marissa said definitively. “You’re taking it.”

Relief flooded Morgan. That was one more outfit decided. She had the Monday night family dinner, casual outfits for the week that could be dressed up with jewelry, a dress for the wedding, and a dress for the brunch.

“All we have left is the rehearsal dinner.”

Which seemed to be the hardest to pick out.

“Maybe you should take two dresses for that,” Sam suggested. “Then you can find out how dressy it’s going to be after you’re there.”

“I’m going to guess cocktail dress,” Carolyn mused, flipping through the clothes yet again, pulling out some of the more formal options. “The wedding is black tie, so the rehearsal will at least be cocktail.”

“Cocktail or formal… but… you said the bride’s family is throwing the rehearsal dinner?” Marissa frowned as she looked at the two dresses Carolyn held up in front of her, hands on her hips as she tried to decide.

“Yes. Asad said there was some back and forth about who was paying for what. Anna’s family is hosting the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and brunch, but his parents are hosting the reception.” He’d sounded amused by it all, as if people arguing over who was going to pay for something was funny.

“Hmmm.” Marissa made a considering noise, tapping her finger against her lips.

“What?” Amy asked her, squeezing Morgan’s hand.

“I think it’s possible the rehearsal dinner might be as big a deal as the reception for this one,” Marissa said. “With American customs, the bride’s family pays for the wedding and the groom’s family pays for the rehearsal dinner. I’d be willing to bet money the rehearsal dinner is basically going to be another reception.” She turned to look at Morgan. “Did Asad say how many people were invited to the rehearsal dinner.”

Morgan shook her head.

“All he told me was that I needed a dress. I’ll text him.”

“Men,” Carolyn muttered under her breath while Morgan sent the text. “They never understand how important the details are.”

Giving Morgan’s hand another squeeze, Amy let go, then started gathering up the more casual dresses and clothing that had been rejected. Realizing she was cleaning up, Morgan started helping.

“So… do you know when Brian is going to be back?” Noelle asked as she moved to pitch in, taking the dresses they were still looking at and moving them next to the headboard, so they didn’t get mixed up.

“No.” Morgan frowned. Was Noelle here to see her or Brian? “Did you need to talk to him?”

“Not need, no.” Noelle smoothed her hands over the sundress she was wearing. She did look very pretty. No one else was wearing a dress. Morgan had just assumed she’d wanted to dress up a little today or that she’d come from somewhere that necessitated a dress. Now she wondered if Noelle had worn it for Brian. “But I was hoping to run into him.”

“She’s hoping to lock him down before he finds out that Master Damien and Rae broke up,” Carolyn smirked as Noelle shot her an outraged look.

“That has nothing to do with it.” Noelle lifted her chin, tossing her blonde hair as she did so. “I’ve always liked him and just thought it was time to make my move.”

She’d always liked him? Morgan hadn’t known that. She decided not to say anything, though. Picturing Noelle and Brian together… it didn’t fit. Though Noelle seemed to prefer indulgent Doms, Morgan couldn’t see Brian with her.

“I don’t know when he’ll be back, sorry. He told me it might be late.” Morgan was relieved when her phone chimed with a text to distract her from the conversation. It wasn’t Asad, though. “Oh, our food is here!”

“I’ll go get it.” Carolyn stepped away from the cleanup help and was already through the door before anyone else could say anything.

“I’ll help!” Noelle dropped the clothes she’d started picking up onto the bed, hurrying after Carolyn.

After Noelle had left the room, Sam let out a huge sigh, causing all of them left to turn and look at her. She blushed a bright pink when she realized they were all wondering what the sigh had been for.

“Sorry, it’s just… Noelle’s driving me a little nuts today. The whole way over here she wouldn’t stop asking questions about my day with Iris yesterday. She didn’t mention Brian once. I just… I don’t know what’s going on with her.” Sam rubbed her hands over her face. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said any of that.”

Marissa shrugged. “It’s okay. Carolyn drives me nuts sometimes, too, and we’ve been friends for years. It happens.”

“Noelle’s probably worried Iris is going to turn you against her. She seems very concerned about that,” Amy said, trying to comfort Sam. “I’m sure she’ll relax more when she sees that you’re not going anywhere.”

“I hope so. I keep trying to reassure her, and she says she totally understands, and she’s fine with it, but then she keeps trying to… I don’t know. I don’t even know how to describe it. Maybe I’m just hangry.”